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PubMed1992

Dihydropteridine reductase from Escherichia coli exhibits dihydrofolate reductase activity.

E. coli Dihydropteridine reductase, known to have a pterin-independent oxidoreductase activity with potassium ferricyanide as electron donor, has now been shown to possess also dihydrofolate reductase activity. The kinetic parameters for dihydrofolate reductase activity have been determined. The ratio of the three activities, dihydropteridine reductase, dihydrofolate reductase and pterin-independent oxidoreductase activity is 1.0, 0.05 and 4.3, respectively. The enzyme, a flavoprotein which is unstable in the presence of dithiothreitol, was shown to be a monomer with a molecular mass of 25.7 kDa. The apparent lack of discrimination between hydride transfer from the pyridine nucleotide to N5 of the pterin in the dihydropteridine reductase reaction and C6 of folate in the dihydrofolate reaction suggested that the FAD prosthetic group may be involved in the hydride transfers. The flavoprotein inhibitor N,N- dimethylpropargylamine inhibited the dihydropteridine reductase and oxidoreductase reactions differently and did not affect the dihydrofolate reductase activity however.

Dihydropteridine Reductase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Xanthine oxidase and xanthine dehydrogenase from an estivating land snail.

During arousal from estivation in land snails, Otala lactea, active metabolic functions are restored within minutes and oxygen consumption increases dramatically. During the transition from the hypoxic conditions of estivation to normoxia it is possible that xanthine oxidase (XO) in hepatopancreas contributes to the observed lipid peroxidation. Using a fluorometric assay that is based on the oxidation of pterin, the activities and some properties of XO and XO+XDH (sum of XO and xanthine dehydrogenase activities) were measured in hepatopancreas extracts. Km values for pterin for XO and XO+XDH were 9 and 6 microM, respectively, and the Km of XDH for methylene blue was 5 microM. Both XO+XDH and XO activities were inhibited by allopurinol (I50 = 2 microM), pre-incubation at 40 degrees C, and by 5 min H2O2 pre-exposure. Inclusion of azide in the reaction promoted a rise of approximately 70-fold in the inactivation power of H2O2 due to inhibition of high endogenous catalase activity. The I50 for H2O2 of XO+XDH and XO activities in the presence of azide was 0.04 and 0.11 mM, respectively. Unlike the situation for mammalian XO, a previous reduction of O. lactea XO (by pterin) was not necessary to make the enzyme susceptible to H2O2 effects. Interestingly, methylene blue partially prevented both heat- and H2O2-induced inactivation of XO+XDH activity. These data indicate that the formation of an enzyme-methylene blue complex induces protection against heat and oxidative damage at the FAD-active site. Both XO and XO+XDH activites were significantly higher in snails after 35 days of estivation compared with active snails 24 h after arousal from dormancy. The ratio of XO/(XO+XDH) activities was also slightly increased in estivating O. lactea (from 0.07 to 0.09; P < 0.025). XO activity was 0.03 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1 in estivating snails. Compared with hepatopancreas catalase, XO activity is probably too low to contribute significantly to the net generation of oxyradicals, and hence to peroxidative damage. Rather, the low potential of XO to induce oxidative stress may constitute an adaptive advantage for O. lactea during arousal periods.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1999

Enzyme polarization of substrates of dihydrofolate reductase by different theoretical methods.

We have investigated the importance of polarization by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) on its substrates, folate and dihydrofolate, using a series of quantum mechanical (QM) techniques (Hartree-Fock (HF), Møller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2), local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) density functional theory (DFT) calculations) in which the bulk enzyme is included in the calculations as point charges. Polarization, in terms of both charges on components (residues) of the folate and dihydrofolate molecules and changes in the electron density, particularly of the pterin ring of the substrates, and the implications for the catalytic reduction are discussed. Significant differences in polarization behavior are observed for the different theoretical methods employed. The consequences of this, particularly for choosing an appropriate model for quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations, are pointed out. The HF and MP2 QM methods show small polarizations (approximately 0.04 electrons) of the pterin ring but quite large polarizations with both LDA and GGA DFT methods (0.3-0.5 electrons). This large difference in polarization for both folate and dihydrofolate arises as a result of substantial differences between the charge distributions for the gasphase DFT and HF calculations, specifically the charges on the dianionic glutamate side chain. Some recent literature reports of incorrect representation of anionic systems by DFT methods are noted. The DFT results are similar to the previously reported LDA DFT results of Bajorath et al. predicting a large polarization of the pterin ring of folate (Proteins 9:217-224, 1991) and dihydrofolate (PNAS 88:6423-6426, 1991) of approximately 0.5-0.6 electrons.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of ultraviolet C irradiation on folate and free amino acid contents in leaves of Pisum sativum].

The effect of ultraviolet radiation of the C region on the content of general folates and free amino acids in leaves of pea (Pisum sativum, variety Neistoshchimyi) was studied. It was found that one of rapidly detectable consequences of the UV irradiation is the photolysis of general folates and pteridines. It was shown that the photolysis of folates results in the formation of the tolerant compound pterin-6-carboxylic acid. It was assumed that this compound sensitizes the formation of singlet molecular oxygen. Pterin-6-carboxylic acid strongly fluoresces by the action of UV light. The relative quantum fluorescence yield of pterin-6-carboxylic acid at 293 K is approximately 2.0 (absolute valuer approximately 0.58). The kinetics of changes in the content of free amino acids 0.5, 1.0, 10, and 40 min after the exposure to UV light was studied. Changes in qualitative composition and quantitative content of free amino acids in leaves of irradiated plants, occurring due to glycolytic processes are discussed.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1988

[Inhibition of muscle glycogen phosphorylase b by 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, 3'-chloro- and 3',6'-dichloromethotrexates].

Inhibition of rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase b by 5-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid, 3'-chloro- and 3',5'-dichloromethotrexates has been studied. The inhibition is reversible and characterized by positive kinetic cooperativity (Hill coefficient exceeds 1). The values of pterin concentration causing two-fold diminishing of the enzymatic reaction rate increased in the order: 3',5'-dichloromethotrexate, 3'-chloromethotrexate, 5-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (0.24, 0.40 and 1.87 mM, respectively). Comparison of "half-saturation" concentrations for the above compounds and for methotrexate and folinic acid shows that pterin affinity to glycogen phosphorylase b is affected by substituents both in pteridine and in p-aminobenzoic moieties of the pterin molecule. The antagonism between 5-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid, 3'-chloro- and 3',5'-dichloromethotrexates, on the one hand, and AMP and FMN, on the other, is revealed for combined action of modifiers on glycogen phosphorylase b.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1984

Biopterin synthesis defects: problems in diagnosis.

Hyperphenylalaninemia due to a biopterin synthesis defect was detected in an infant with decreased biopterin and increased neopterin levels in plasma and urine. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) administration normalized plasma phenylalanine levels. CSF biopterin and neurotransmitter metabolite levels were normal and with the infant's normal growth and development suggest that the defect in biopterin synthesis did not affect CNS biopterin metabolism. Comparison of plasma and urine pterin levels from this patient with levels reported in patients who have neurologic complications fails to reveal differences that would distinguish patients at risk for neurologic problems. CSF pterin and neurotransmitter levels may correlate with neurologic function in these patients. CSF pterin and neurotransmitter determinations should be performed prior to initiation of neurotransmitter precursor and BH4 replacement therapies in patients who were determined to have biopterin synthesis defect(s).

Biopterins↗
PubMed1984

The activation of rat liver phenylalanine hydroxylase by limited proteolysis, lysolecithin, and tocopherol phosphate. Changes in conformation and catalytic properties.

Pure phenylalanine hydroxylase from rat liver can be activated by limited proteolysis with alpha-chymotrypsin. As with most other types of activation of this enzyme, including activation by exposure to lysolecithin, the increase in activity is expressed in the presence of the naturally occurring pterin cofactor, tetrahydrobiopterin, but not in the presence of synthetic pterin cofactors such as 6-methyltetrahydropterin. With the chymotrypsin-activated enzyme, we have demonstrated directly, using circular dichroism measurements, that the activated enzyme differs in conformation from the native enzyme. In addition to chymotrypsin, trypsin and a mixture of rat liver lysosomal proteases can also activate phenylalanine hydroxylase. The latter finding raises the possibility that activation of the enzyme by limited proteolysis may be a physiologically important process. In experiments carried out with phenylalanine in which all five hydrogens on the aromatic ring have been replaced with deuterium, and in the presence of tetrahydrobiopterin, we have been unable to detect a kinetic isotope effect with either the native hydroxylase or with the hydroxylase activated by limited proteolysis, or by exposure to lysolecithin. By contrast, with both native and activated enzymes, a small isotope effect was detected when 6-methyltetrahydropterin was used as the pterin cofactor.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Structural characterization of a molybdopterin precursor.

Purification and structural characterization of a novel pterin that is the immediate biosynthetic precursor for molybdopterin formation in Escherichia coli has been accomplished. The precursor is purified from acid extracts of cells of the Escherichia coli molybdopterin-deficient mutant chlN by reverse phase and ion exchange high performance liquid chromatography. Under a variety of conditions, this precursor oxidizes directly to the previously characterized pterin, compound Z (Johnson, J. L., Wuebbens, M. M., and Rajagopalan, K. V. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 13440-13447). Like, molybdopterin, the precursor is an oxygen-sensitive, 6-alkyl pterin with a 4-carbon phosphorylated side chain. Analysis by 31P NMR indicates that the precursor phosphate is bound in diester linkage to C-2' and C-4' of the side chain to form a 6-membered ring. The precursor does not contain either of the sulfurs present in molybdopterin, and reduction with sodium borohydride yields a C-1' hydroxyl function. Two-electron oxidation of the precursor results in stoichiometric production of the fully oxidized compound Z. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy of the precursor yields an MH+ ion with a mass of 346, corresponding to a structure for the precursor which is a dihydro form of compound Z.

Borohydrides↗
PubMed1996

High-resolution structures of the bifunctional enzyme and transcriptional coactivator DCoH and its complex with a product analogue.

DCoH, the dimerization cofactor of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF-1), functions as both a transcriptional coactivator and a pterin dehydratase. To probe the relationship between these two functions, the X-ray crystal structures of the free enzyme and its complex with the product analogue 7,8-dihydrobiopterin were refined at 2.3 A resolution. The ligand binds at four sites per tetrameric enzyme, with little apparent conformational change in the protein. Each active-site cleft is located in a subunit interface, adjacent to a prominent saddle motif that has structural similarities to the TATA binding protein. The pterin binds within an arch of aromatic residues that extends across one dimer interface. The bound ligand makes contacts to three conserved histidines, and this arrangement restricts proposals for the enzymatic mechanism of dehydration. The dihedral symmetry of DCoH suggests that binding to the dimerization domain of HNF-1 likely involves the superposition of two-fold rotation axes of the two proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Molecular motions and conformational changes of HPPK.

6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase (HPPK) belongs to a class of catalytic enzymes involved in phosphoryl transfer and is a new target for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. In the present study, the fundamental consideration is to view the overall structure of HPPK as a network of interacting residues and to extract the most cooperative collective motions that define its global dynamics. A coarse-grained model, harmonically constrained according to HPPK's crystal structure is used. Four crystal structures of HPPK (one apo and three holo forms with different nucleotide and pterin analogs) are studied with the goal of providing insights about the function-dynamic correlation and ligand induced conformational changes. The dynamic differences are examined between HPPK's apo- and holo-forms, because they are involved in the catalytic reaction steps. Our results indicate that the palm-like structure of HPPK is nearly rigid, whereas the two flexible loops: L2 (residues 43-53) and L3 (residues 82-92) exhibit the most concerted motions for ligand recognition and presumably, catalysis. These two flexible loops are involved in the recognition of HPPKs nucleotide and pterin ligands, whereas the rigid palm region is associated with binding of these cognate ligands. Six domains of collective motions are identified, comprised of structurally close but not necessarily sequential residues. Two of these domains correspond to the flexible loops (L2 and L3), whereas the remaining domains correspond to the rigid part of the molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Tetrahydrobiopterin loading test in xanthine dehydrogenase and molybdenum cofactor deficiencies.

The objectives of this study were to find additional diagnostic information for the evaluation of xanthine dehydrogenase deficiency and molybdenum cofactor deficiency. Patients were given an oral loading test with 10 mg/kg 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin. Urine excretion of pterin and isoxanthopterin was measured by HPLC. Control subjects had a fairly constant ratio of urinary pterin/isoxanthopterin before (0.57-5.32) and after (0.55-4.55) 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin loading. These ratios were increased to 33 and 22 in a patient with hereditary xanthinuria and to 570 and 8030 in a patient with molybdenum cofactor deficiency. Obligate heterozygotes had an entirely normal test result. Evidence was obtained for the in vivo involvement of xanthine dehydrogenase in the conversion of pterin to isoxanthopterin. This test could be a sensitive marker for the establishment of residual enzyme activity.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

Identification of pigment cells during early amphibian development (Triturus alpestris, Ambystoma mexicanum).

The purpose of the present investigation was to provide and apply a methodological manual with which the distribution, patterning and relationship of melanophores and xanthophores can be analyzed during early amphibian development. For demonstration of the methods, which include ultrastructural, histochemical and biochemical approaches, Triturus alpestris and Ambystoma mexicanum (axolotl) embryos are used. These two species differ conspicuously in their larval pigment patterns, showing alternating melanophore bands in horizontal (T. alpestris) and vertical (axolotl) arrangements. With transmission- and scanning electron microscopy melanophores and xanthophores were distinguished by their different pigment organelles and surface structures. The presence of phenol oxidase (tyrosinase) was used to reveal externally invisible or faintly visible melanophores by applying an excess of 3,4 dihydroxy-phenylalanine (dopa). Xanthophores were made visible in fixed and living embryos by demonstrating their pterin fluorescence. In addition, pterins were analyzed by HPLC in embryos before and after pigmentation was visible.

Ambystoma↗
PubMed1996

International database of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiencies.

Approximately 2% of newborns with hyperphenylalaninaemia are deficient in tetrahydrobiopterin. Selective screening must be performed in all instances where hyperphenylalaninaemia is detected by neonatal screening. In the last 20 years, 308 patients with tetrahydrobiopterin deficiencies have been recognized as a result of screening carried out, worldwide, in Departments of Paediatrics. Of these 308 patients, 181 suffered from 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase deficiency, 92 from dihydropteridine reductase deficiency, 13 from pterin-4a-carbinolamine dehydratase deficiency, 12 from GTP cyclohydrolase I deficiency, and 10 are still unclassified. In the BIODEF database we have tabulated the most common clinical and laboratory data related to hyperphenylalaninaemia and tetrahydrobiopterin deficiencies. Additionally, there are data regarding treatment, outcome, and DNA analysis. Preliminary evaluation reveals that the degree of hyperphenylalaninaemia can vary from normal to 2500 mumol/L. Analyses of pterins in urine and measurement of dihydropteridine reductase activity from Guthrie cards are absolutely essential tests for accurate diagnosis. There is a regional (demographic) variation in the frequency of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiencies indicating the highest incidence in Saudi Arabia, probably a consequence of the high consanguinity rate.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗
PubMed1983

Separation of pteridines from blood cells and plasma by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

In order to determine free and conjugated pteridines, the pteridine-releasing procedure for biological materials (e.g., plasma, blood cells, bone marrow) was optimized and the parameters which influence pteridine releasing are discussed. Using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (rp-HPLC) on 5-micron ODS (C18; mobile phase, K2HPO4 buffer, pH 7.0-7.8), up to 10 pteridines (pterin-6-carboxylic acid, xanthopterin, neopterin, monapterin, isoxanthopterin, lumazine, biopterin, 6-hydroxymethylpterin, pterin) could be separated in the extracts of blood samples and determined fluorometrically (femtomolar range). In addition, three sepiapterins (sepiapterin, deoxysepiapterin, 3'-hydroxysepiapterin) could be separated with aqueous methanol as eluent (uv and fluorometric detection, respectively). The methods described are suited to compile pteridine patterns for plasma and individual cell fractions (erythrocytes, lymphocytes, buffy coat) from blood. Moreover, it was shown that the pteridine concentrations in dog blood (beagles) were in some cases substantially higher than in human blood, and that neopterin is lacking in the blood cell fractions of beagle dogs or occurs only in very low concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Cytokine-activated endothelial cells express an isotype of nitric oxide synthase which is tetrahydrobiopterin-dependent, calmodulin-independent and inhibited by arginine analogs with a rank-order of potency characteristic of activated macrophages.

We have previously reported that cultured murine brain endothelial cells (MBE) produce large quantities of nitric oxide (NO) after activation with interferon-gamma in combination with any of several immunoactivators including: bacterial endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1. Since endothelial cells are the first example of a cell-type which may possess both a constitutive and an inducible type of NO synthase, it was of interest to compare the requirements of these two enzyme activities. Induction of NO synthesis in MBE by cytokines was abolished by the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, and by 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyridine (DAHP), a selective inhibitor of GTP cyclohydrolase I, the rate-limiting enzyme for de novo synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (THB). In the presence of DAHP, NO synthesis was restored by sepiapterin (SEP), a substrate for the alternative pathway of THB synthesis occurring via pterin salvage. Moreover, SEP increased NO synthesis to greater than 150% of control values, suggesting that THB availability is rate-limiting for NO synthesis by cytokine-induced MBE. Methotrexate, an inhibitor of the pterin salvage pathway of THB synthesis, completely reversed the stimulation of NO synthesis by sepiapterin. Thus, cytokine-induced MBE NO synthase appears to have an absolute requirement for THB as cofactor. In additional studies we found that NO synthesis by cytokine-activated MBE was inhibited by NG-monosubstituted arginine analogs with a rank-order of potency NH2 greater than CH3 greater than NO2, in contrast with the rank-order of NO2 greater than NH2 greater than CH3 previously described for inhibition of the constitutive endothelial cell enzyme. Using a kinetic assay for NO synthase activity, based on oxidation of myoglobin heme-iron, we have found that these rank orders of potency also apply to cytosol preparations of cytokine-induced and untreated endothelial cells, respectively. Further differences between constitutive and cytokine-induced NO synthase were observed with regard to calmodulin requirements. Whereas constitutive NO synthase was potently inhibited by the calmodulin antagonists mellitin and trifluoperazine, cytokine-induced NO synthase was unaffected. In summary, NO synthesis by cytokine-activated MBE is THB-dependent, calmodulin-independent and inhibited by NG-substituted arginine analogs with a rank-order profile distinct from that for untreated endothelial cells but identical to that for cytokine-activated macrophages.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1992

Determination of the relative configuration of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydromethanopterin by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.

The relative configuration of the pterin moiety of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydromethanopterin 1, a coenzyme isolated from methanogenic archaea, has been determined by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy of N5,N10-methenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydromethanopterin 2 to be rel-(6R; 7S; 11R). The complete proton resonance assignment of the pterin moiety of N5,N10-methylene-5,6,7,8-tetrahydromethanopterin 3 is described including the relative stereospecific assignment of the C(14a) methylene protons.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗
PubMed1982

Mutations induced by a hormonal imbalance in Drosophila melanogaster.

Pterin treatment of chrysalids in diapause modified the juvenile hormone- ecdysone ratio. The treatment of Drosophila donor mutant with a mixture of reduced folic acid, pterins and extract of Pierides chrysalids in diapause induced the formation of short sequences, by the intermediary of variations in hormonal balance. The effect of this variation was seen in the germinal lines especially at the gonial stage, where recessive, visible or lethal mutations were induced in the form of clusters. Genetically active fractions were found in the 4S-8S and 18S-28S sedimentation zones after saccharose gradient ultracentrifugation. The short DNA sequences coded for tRNA and rRNA. Consequently, it is there DNA sequences from the Drosophila donor mutant that altered the genetic information of the host. 2 types of recessive visible mutation appeared: those affecting the differentiation of the imaginal discs and those affecting the pigment biosynthetic chain. Recessive lethals were induced by treatment. 3 hypothesis are proposed: the first suggests the formation of a short DNA sequence complexing at a specific locus in the acceptor. The second involves transposable factors belonging to the acceptor itself, behaving as a particular transposable factor. The third supposes the induction of alterations at loci of rRNA and tRNA synthesis at the origin of perturbations in protein synthesis. The present data do not allow us to choose between the 3 hypotheses. In conclusion, it seems that a "hormonal imbalance" can have grave consequences not only for the individual itself but also for its descendants.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Identification of molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide in formate dehydrogenase from Methanobacterium formicicum.

The pterin cofactor in formate dehydrogenase isolated from Methanobacterium formicium is identified as molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide. The pterin, stabilized as the alkylated, dicarboxamidomethyl derivative, is shown to have absorption and chromatographic properties identical to those of the previously characterized authentic compound. Treatment with nucleotide pyrophosphatase produced the expected degradation products GMP and carboxyamidomethyl molybdopterin. The molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide released from the enzyme by treatment with 95% dimethyl sulfoxide is shown to be functional in the in vitro reconstitution of the cofactor-deficient nitrate reductase in extracts of the Neurospora crassa nit-1 mutant.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗